Jim Dee examines the veracity of a book that claims there is an underworld of 'Economic Hit Men' maintaining and encouraging world debt

Diarmaid Ferriter recalls the case of a schoolboy killed in Dublin 44 years ago with similarities to this month's tragic events in Middleton. The 1961 case was never solved

First published in 1989, Touchstone is Peter Egan's first novel for children and it is quite an extraordinary achievement when you take into account how long ago it is since it was conceived.

A new book charts the fascinating history of the struggle for control of RTÉ's current affairs output and the station's attempts to maintain independence from governments and the church. By Conor Brady

From the smog of the capital to the steam of the Lacandon rainforest, Eoin Bassett leaves Mexico with a heavy heart

It's the story that won't go away. Last month the Taoiseach conceded as much when he agreed to set up an independent inquiry into the controversy the newspapers now call: "Monicagate".

... is one of the definitions of "Irish" in the Collins Concise Dictionary. Vitali Vitaliev goes in search of a more plausible version

A recent walk around Dublin's Moore Street only offered up some of its darker mysteries. Gone are the antique Silver Cross prams and with them cries of 'two for a pound.' Instead, metal-framed box stands display the usual fruit and vegetables. I happily filled a full green bag with carrots, broccoli, apples and bananas for only €5, a tiny fraction of what the same would have cost in any supermarket.

Most days, she sat at the entrance to the apartment building in Haifa and she smiled. It was practically a full-time occupation and she did it beautifully.

The intemperate attack on Sinn Féin launched by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern during the week may well signal the beginning of the end of the peace process - a result that has been desperately sought by opposition politicians, journalists and PD Government ministers for some considerable time now.